Current Morris County COVID-19 Cases

COVID-19 Information Hub

Announcements

Vote by Mail

June 1, 2020
Due to COVID-19, New Jersey elections have been re-scheduled for July 7th, and now will be primarily Vote-By-Mail.
Governor Murphy signed Executive Order #144 stating that the July 7th Primary Election will be conducted primarily by Vote by Mail (“VBM”), with limited in-person polling locations open. VBM will be new to many Morris County Residents, and the process itself is being adapted for activation at scale in light of the health crisis. It is important for our voters to understand how the new process will work so we can be sure our votes are valid under the new rules. Click here for a Vote by Mail FAQs.

Recycling Update

May 11, 2020
Event Update: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is out of an abundance of caution to protect our residents while adhering to State and Federal social distancing guidelines, that the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (MCMUA) has decided to CANCEL our Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) event scheduled for May 16th at the Morris County Public Saftey Training Academy in Parsippany. The MCMUA has also decided to MOVE its collection event scheduled on June 13th from the County College of Morris in Randolph to the Morris County Public Saftey Training Academy in Parsippany. For those residents who planned to attend the recently canceled May event, it is recommended that they safely store any materials they anticipated on disposing at the recently canceled event until or next disposal event in June. In addition to the June event which has only changed location, the other two Household Hazardous Waste events scheduled for the Fall are still expected to remain in effect at this time. These two fall events are currently set for Saturday, September 12, 2020, at the Morris County Public Saftey Training Academy and Saturday, October 10, 2020, at Chatham High School. Please visit our website www.MCMUA.com for additional updates regarding our Household Hazardous Waste and other programs as they are announced.

“After carefully monitoring developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the MUA has determined out of abundant caution for the safety and health of our residents and employees that we will be canceling our May Household Hazardous Waste event given the number of uncertainties we are currently facing,” said MUA Executive Director Larry Gindoff. "While we have come to know how important these events such as these are to the public, we believe this decision is in everyone's best interest in order to take the necessary precautions to ensure everyone's safety. I hope you will all join me at our next disposal event in June.”

Court Update

April 21, 2020 During the COVID-19 pandemic, municipal courts have canceled their in-person court sessions. With the use of technology, certain cases may be able to be heard and adjudicated remotely. It is advised that you contact the court to set up a video court proceeding and provide your telephone and email address.

Coping With COVID-19: Stress Management Strategies for Seniors

March 27
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus is causing worry and anxiety for many of us, and can be especially stressful for seniors, a vulnerable population. Fear of the disease can cause strong emotions and reactions. Further isolation because of social distancing can add to the sense of being overpowered. Click here for information on handling stress from New Bridge.

Executive Order No. 104

The Govenor signed this executive order to coordinate the State’s efforts to appropriately prepare for and respond to the public health hazard posed by
Coronavirus disease 2019. Read full executive order >>

Board of Health Notice

The Borough of Rockaway Board of Health continues to monitor the Novel (new) Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak and to work in partnership with the State Department of Health and Morris County Office of Health Management to ensure the community is prepared for any local impacts from this international health concern. Read full notice >>

Message from the Police Department

Due to the ongoing situation and in an effort to keep our officers available to deal with any emergencies, we have instituted the following protocols:

Headquarters will be open during the week from 8 AM until 4 PM. We strongly recommend that citizens call the non-emergency number at police headquarters, 973-627-1851, before coming to headquarters for any reason. If we are able to assist you without making you leave your home, all the better.

Reports will be emailed out or faxed by request, by contacting our office, Monday- Friday from 8 AM - 4 PM.

Please keep all your unused medications until the situation returns to normal. Please take care to properly store and secure them during this time.

While our overall goal is to reduce the amount of unnecessary person to person contact, please rest assured that you can count on the same professional response to any emergency call that you have come to expect from the Rockaway Borough Police Department.

Please remember to follow all guidelines of the CDC and the health department. We truly thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this difficult time. We hope that you all stay healthy and well in this difficult time.

All the best,
The Rockaway Borough Police Department

Message from Project KIND

Rockaway Borough Residents,
In midst of the outbreak of COVID-19, many social services and organizations that support the most in-need citizens of our state are closed. Those experiencing homelessness, people living in shelters, and families living on government assistance are scrambling to survive.

Project KIND is working effortlessly to provide support for anyone in need due this stressful time. Now headquartered at the Kindness Closet, our new space has greatly expanded our availability to serve the local community, expand mobile outreach, and store donations and supplies.

We are in need of supplies to continue helping others. We currently need:

peanut butter, jelly, bread (or completed sandwiches), snacks & drinks to provide bagged lunches to after care and day care programs, soup kitchens, those outplaced and community groups in need

blankets, rain jackets, ground covers

toiletry items such as toothbrushes,soap, socks & underwear

financial donations to arrange for temporary or transitional housing and additional supplies

We are working closely with police, mobile outreach, school administrators, first responders and social services to help provide to anyone that needs assistance.
If you have connections or contacts that are offering help, please have them call us directly at 973-479-7204 or email projectkind123@gmail.com. We can always arrange to pick up donations or they can be dropped at The Kindness Closet is located at 350 Route 46 East, Door 13 (behind Dominoes) hours vary or 365 West Main Street in Rockaway.

Thank you so very much for protecting our community and making a better place to live.
Venmo is: @Project-Kind

Closed

Borough Hall Closed to Public

UPDATED 4/29/20 Borough Hall will be closed to all public access until further notice. Only employees and officials will be allowed to enter. Public can use the drop box located just outside of the main entrance. We will remain fully staffed and can be reached by phone or email for any questions or concerns you may have.

Community Center is Closed

UPDATED 4/29/20 The Community Center is closed to all public groups, committees, meetings, etc. until further notice. Only Mayor and Council will be permitted to meet when necessary.

Parks are Closed

UPDATED 4/29/20 All Borough parks and playgrounds remain closed until further notice. Absolutely no congregating or large groups in these areas will be permitted.
Walking paths at Park Lake and Donatoni Park will re-open on Saturday, May 1st for passive recreation, such as walking, running, and biking. Please utilize social distancing practices and follow all displayed signs to help with the flow of foot traffic.
Fishing, provided you hold the necessary license from the Division of Fish and Wildlife, is allowed along the Rockaway River. Please follow social distancing guidelines.

Library is Closed

UPDATED 4/29/20 The Borough Library remains closed until further notice. Public access is prohibited. No pick-ups or returns accepted. Click here to go to the Rockaway Borough Library website.
Library staff is available at (973) 627-5709 from 12-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may also contact us at rcblibrary@gmail.com or on Facebook.
There are many library digital resources available through our MAIN consortium at mainlib.org

Borough Recycling Center Closed

UPDATED 4/29/20 The Borough Recycling Center will remain closed until May 19. Please continue to utilize curbside pick-up until such time.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Canceled

Recreation Activities Suspended

All recreation activities are suspended until further notice. This will affect sports activities, senior meetings, and all Recreation Department related functions.
We appreciate your understanding and feel free at anytime to reach out with any questions. The situation will be re-assessed and updates posted.